Sale 779 — Civil War Postal History and Autographs
Sale Date — Wednesday, 10 July, 1996
Category — Union Patriotics and Lettersheets
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
253
The Arms of the Keystone State. Multicolor design on cover sent by the publisher himself, Edward Cogan, to Roxbury Mass., 3c Rose (65) tied by open grid, clear "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 9, 1863" cds, Cogan imprint on flap, docketing at left slightly affects design, Fine and attractive
E. 200-250
150
254
The Arms of the Keystone State. Color lithograph design with additional hand-coloring, on cover to Mass., 3c Rose (65) tied by open grid, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Mar. 25, 1863" ds, docketing at L., tiny edge wear, still Very Fine, pretty and scarce
E. 200-300
190
Back to Top255
Assassination of Col. Ellsworth. All-over Magnus two panel design in bronze, on unused envelope, Very Fine, a beautiful Magnus patriotic, very rare, only one postally used cover is known, and only a few unused examples exist, unlisted in Walcott or Weiss
E. 200-250
550
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Battle Scene. View of clashing armies, ships and ironclads with raised flags of both armies, in blue and red on cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by partial ds, full strike at left of "Rising Sun Pa. Jul. 9" balloon style ds, tiny edge wear, still Very Fine, outstanding design and very scarce in this condition
E. 250-350
160
Back to Top257
Camp Brightwood. Large regimental patriotic as prepared by the L.N. Rosenthal firm of Philadelphia, Washington cds and free frank (mc) on face, includes original enclosure with matching letterhead, from soldier who makes this intriguing comment about the illustration: "I suppose you would like to have the Picture on first page explain a little so I will try in my feeble way this was sketch last Sunday morning the Artist was sitting on a box," etc. He identifies figures in the drawing - the man standing on a barrel is prisoner being punished, etc. Cover with light soiling and opening tear at right into design, Fine appearance, a very rare if not unique reference to a patriotic illustration. The writer may have been confused about when the artist made his sketch, but it is known that one of Rosenthal brothers, Max, had a pass that gave him access to all army camps and that the prints where made from his pencil sketches
E. 300-400
475
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Citizens Volunteer Hospital. All-over design in dull purple on cover to Wilmington, Del. clear "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 11, 1863" cds with 3c Rose (65) cancelled by open grid, cover with tiny closed tears in top margin, still Very Fine, rare design
E. 1,000-1,500
0
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Citizens' Volunteer Hospital. Design in black on orange cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 24" cds, stamp with rounded corners, otherwise Very Fine, rare design
E. 300-400
650
Back to Top260
Death to Traitors. Flag patriotic addressed to a Private White of the 71st N.Y., reverse with blue "FREE./For the Regiment/ADAMS EXPRESS CO./Per HOEY" in four straightlines, part of flap torn, not affecting handstamp, otherwise clean and Fine, very scarce
E. 300-400
150
Back to Top261°
Eagle and Flag. Design in black, forming address panel with banner, on small cover to Dearham, Canada, pen-cancelled 10c Green (35) at left, ms. "Yorkshire N.Y. May 2" cds at top, indistinct Canada receiving mark on back dated May 3, 1860, stamp with pre-use crease ending in tear, Fine appearance, very rare use of a patriotic envelope prior to the surrender of Fort Sumter, most likely prepared in anticipation of the various party nominations for president in that same month
E. 250-350
0
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Farmer and Wheat. Unusual design in blue, on cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by "Memphis Tenn. Oct. 29" double-circle ds and target, Fine and very scarce
E. 100-150
75
Back to Top263
The Fence that Uncle Abe Built. Design in black on white cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Sep. 13, 1862" cds, ms. "Soldiers letter" at bottom, Magee imprint on flap, cover voer slightly reduced at L., still Very Fine
E. 300-400
270
Back to Top264
Flag with Liberty Cap. Simple design on cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by target, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 26, 1862" cds, imprint on flap of Wm. Mann., bit reduced at R., still Very Fine, rare example from little known stationer
E. 100-150
0
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Floyd Going to War. Union caricature in blue on orange cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by "Columbina O. May 6" cds, stamp with tiny margin faults, otherwise Very Fine
E. 100-150
80
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Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort Va. Large view in violet with imprint of E. Sachse & Co., dated Mar. 1, 1864, interesting contents from a Good Templar in camp, describing "the many temptations which surround us here, there is not the gentle influence of women to keep back the evil passions," etc. Fine
E. 150-200
75
Back to Top267°
The Great Naval Battle Between Ericsson S. Monitor, and the Merrimac, March 9th, 1862. Large design in purple, on cover to Baltimore, impritn of J.G. Wells on flap, 3c Rose (65) tied by partial strike of "Patterson Mills Pa. Dec. 26" cds struck three times, trivial toning on back, still Very Fine, handsome and rare design
E. 400-500
575
Back to Top268
Long Bridge, Washington, by Moonlight No. 2. Hand-colored Magnus design on cover to Batavia, N.Y., reverse with 3c Rose (65) tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Jan. 26" cds, cover with tiny restoration at edges, Very Fine appearance, rare design used
E. 600-800
0
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A Patriotic Ad Scam. 1865 advertising cover from "Uncle Freddy", aka Frederick Coombs, the Pioneer Benefactor and Union Banner Bearer of California, who made the following claims regarding purchase of his carte-de-visite: Stranger, if you wish to be comforted when sick or distressed, with one thousand dollars in gold without interest or security, buy this card! Or, should you fall terribly in love, and wish for one hundred dollars, to make yourself and true love happy for life by an union matrimonial, buy this card!" etc. The CDV shows Freddy in powdered wig and Continental costume with banner proclaiming, "The Spirit of Washington Still Lives!" There is even a letter from Washington, residing in "Spirit Land" testifying to Freddy's greatness; cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by New York cds and addressed to the State Librarian at Albany, Very Fine, featured in an article in the American Philatelist in April 1994
E. 200-250
190
Back to Top270
The Picket Guard. Gloomy woodcut in violet brown on cream cover with 3c Rose (65) tied by partial Memphis ds, Gates imprint at L., tiny edge wear, still Fine, rare design
E. 100-150
50
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General Rosecrans. Portrait in oval with crossed flags on lettersheet used from Rockford Ill., apparently from a soldier in transit, Very Fine
E. 100-150
0
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"Give this wreath to the brave." Verse patriotic with floral design, in rose and green on white cover, Magee imprint at top, 3c Rose (65) tied by open grid, clear "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 24, 1863" cds at top, Very Fine, unusually choice example of this uncommon design
E. 200-250
100
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History of Our Flag. All-over design by Stevens & Co. with 3c Rose (65) strip of three tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 19, 1863" cds struck twice, docketing at L., still Very Fine, very scarce triple rate example
E. 200-250
125
Back to Top274
Major General McClellan. All-over design with portrait in blue and stars of the states, in red, with 3c Dull Red (26) tied by balloon-style "Rising Sun Pa. Sep. 3" ds, Magee imprint on flap, minor soiling and small cover tear, very attractive and scarce design, Fine
E. 150-200
180
Back to Top275°
Naval Engagement off Fort Wright. Large design in black on pale buff cover showing ironclads and sinking rebel vessel, 3c Rose (65) at right tied by target, not quite readable Ohio cds at left, some toning, still Fine, a scarce and exciting design
E. 200-250
0
Back to Top276
One People One Government. Letterhead showing eagle & banner, in red, with James Gates imprint, contents from a member of Kansas Volunteers, 5th Reg.with dateline "Camp at Halena Arkansas July the 15th 1862": "We left Springfield and went to Houston Texas and we staid there two weaks and then we garded a train to West Plains near the Arkansas line and we was paid off there and then we went to Salem, Arkansas...we turn over our Mississippi rifles and drew sabers so now we are cavalry...On the road to Calrinton there was gards left at every house along the road to keep the soldiers from molesting any thing and there was a Dutch man left to gard a house and when he was relieved he broke open a trunk and began to take things out and the woman took hold of some of the goods that he was taking and he nocked her down and one of the Illinois soldiers run his bayonet through him and kild him, Fine and very scarce
E. 200-250
160
Back to Top277
On To Richmond! Liberty design in red on cover to Mecklenburgh, N.Y., Washington cds and "Due 3' hs, with pretty floral decoration in lead & colored pencil added on flap by sender, lifted to show design; accompanied by a second cover from soldier who after addressing it in a poor hand, had a skilled calligraphist write out his return address and repeat it two more times, Very Fine lot
E. 100-125
70
Back to Top278
Richmond Va. All-over multi-color Magnus design on cover to New London, Ct., 3c Rose (65) tied by double-circle "Washington D.C. Nov. 12, 1862" ds, stamp with tiny closed tears, Very Fine, choice appearance and rare design postally used
E. 600-800
750
Back to Top279°
A Soldier's Farewell. Large Valentine envelope in orange and light buff with 3c Rose (65) tied by double-circle "Washington D.C. Feb. 13, 1862" ds, with tent of bunting Valentine enclosure, minor toned spots and flap tear, otherwise Very Fine, handsome and very scarce, ex Sapperstein
E. 1,500-2,000
0
Back to Top280
A Soldier's Farewell. Large Valentine envelope in yellow orange on buff with 3c rose (65) tied by "Saint Dennis Md. Feb. 16" cds, accompanied by Valentine enclosure of soldier, which opens up to a vignette of soldier and his lover, all hand-colored, stamp with small tear, cover with toning on back and tiny edge tears, still choice appearing, Fine and rare, with 1991 P.F. certificate
E. 1,000-1,500
750
Back to Top281
Soldier's Farewell. J. G. Wells design in red and blue on unusually fresh white cover, 3c Rose (65) tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Apr. 8, 1862" ds, neatly opened at top, Extremely Fine, exceptionally attractive
E. 300-400
625
Back to Top282
The Union Must & Shall Be Preserved. All-over design in red & blue with naval figure at R., 3c Rose (65) tied by fancy segmented cork cancel, matching "New York" double-circle ds with 1862 year date, stamp with corner nick (prior to use) but effectively hidden by the boldness of the cancel, Very Fine appearance
E. 200-250
160
Back to Top283
United We Stand Divided We Fall. Kentucky. Blue design on cover to Matteson, Mich. with 3c Rose (65) tied by grid, matching"Elizabethtown, Ky. Mar. 14" cds, original 1862 enclosure with blue "OUR COMPROMISE" letterhead, light wear, Fine and rare
E. 200-250
150
Back to Top284
Vermont Lincoln Covers. Two, includes beardless portrait in oval on yellow cover (AL-9) with No. 65 tied by 1862 Vt. cds (St. Johnsbury?), and colorless embossed, "Slavery Sectional," etc. with matching Lincoln-Hamilin names on flap (AL-108), pen-cancelled No. 26 and ms. "W. Cornwall Vt. Oct. 4" postmark, latter with some staining, still Fine pair
E. 100-150
210
Back to Top285
The Washington Grape. Union caricature with Jeff. Davis as a fox, on cover with design repeated inside envelope, opened at R. to display, 3c Rose (65) tied by "Memphis Ten. Apr. 6, 1863" double-circle ds, sender has added several ms. comments to design including "Cuss" "he can't touch them not by a damn sight", light soiling, Fine, unusual
E. 100-150
80
Back to Top286
Patriotics. Two excellent pieces of collateral, first is business card of John G. Wells advertising his patriotic stationery and "Patriotic Prize Packet," etc. in black on green (1863 calendar on back); other is unused envelope with stars & strips "USA" and familiar ad vignette of seated gentleman reading the paper: "A collection of Union envelopes in a few years from now will form a most valuable and pleasing curiosity and will be sold at double the original cost." Imprint of C. Bell of Hartford, Very Fine
E. 100-150
85
Back to Top287
Patriotics. 17 different designs, all with Memphis Tenn. occupation postmarks, franked with 3c Rose (65) or sent due, mixed condition, Good-Fine
E. 200-250
400
Back to Top288
Civil War Postal History. Eight covers and one front, includes rare Fremont cover hand-carried usage from Castleton, Vt. with embossed ad cover, great all-over patriotic - Genl. McClellan & His Staff, Magnus Liberty & Eagle patriotic from Rolla, Mo., CSA No. 11 used from Wilmington, N.C. with barely literate letter from soldier, rare 1861 patriotic (front only) celebrating U.S.-British friendship (impt. of Lockwood & Co., Buffalo), etc., small faults, Fine lot
E. 200-250
375
Back to Top289
Patriotic Song Sheets. 23 different, mostly Magnus including one Lincoln mourning sheet, also three examples from Magee and rare James Gay example, mostly Very Fine
E. 300-400
500
Back to Top290
Patriotic Lettersheets. 11, nearly all different, all used from various camps or hospitals, mostly from a Oliver Gaylord of the 3rd Mich. cavalry, includes hand-colored Magnus "For the Union - Illinois" from Fortress Monroe in 1864, eagle and sailor design - "Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!", etc., Fine lot
E. 400-500
500
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